Bruce Dias 
Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world. Played in person and online, it even has televised tournaments and dedicated streaming channels. Many believe it should be included in the World Games, possibly even the Olympics. So why hasn’t it been considered before?
The World Games
The World Games are a tournament of popular sports from around the world that have not made it into the Olympic selection. Closely tied with its bigger sibling, the competition introduces spectators to a whole new world of events. This could be anything from skydiving to power boating and sumo.
It is not uncommon for the Olympic committee to try new events at its smaller tournaments. For example, eSports was first included in the Asian Games in 2018. Originally, it was a demonstration event, but it returned in 2022 as a medal event. Now, esports are getting their own tournament headed by the Internation Olympic Committee, which will begin in 2027.
However, looking at why it is not included in the World and Olympic Games gives us some indication as to why poker, a popular game globally, is not considered.
The Popularity of Global Poker
Getting a figure on the number of poker players in the world is tough. Estimates sit at around the 100 million mark for online players alone, with around 60 million of them based in the US. There have been several reasons for the growth in popularity of this game.
Firstly, the poker boom around the year 2000 introduced the game to a wide range of people, in ways televising the game had not. Secondly, there was a boom caused by the first online poker websites, which have increased in their quality ever since. Now, players can browse the best poker apps to find their ideal choice. They can then be instantly connected to opponents around the world, joining tables that feature a host of different rules, such as Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, or video poker. Many of these operators also have welcome offers, so they can play without using their bankroll for a short time.
Poker is unique in the scheme of casino games. Many others are dictated by chance and probability alone. While there is an element of this in poker, working out the probability, reading other players, and knowing when to call and bluff requires a high level of skill.
Games of Skill and Athleticism
Looking at the world of chess can reveal more information here, with chess equally popular and requiring a high level of skill, however, it has been omitted from the World Games and Olympics.
This is because it does not require a level of athleticism, which dictates how events are picked. Skill alone is not a qualifier for World Games and Olympic sports.
Luckily, Poker has its own events and tournaments to enjoy. If eSports are anything to go by, should poker continue to increase in popularity at the rate it does, we may even see a World Poker Olympics on the horizon.
